The Jamaican theatre scene has come a long way since its start in the 17th century in Spanish Town. Today, original Jamaican productions are infused with our cultural expressions and social realities, articulated by our writers, and brought to life by a team of artists. The most commercially successful genre in Jamaican theatre is comedy, however, a new era has seen the emergence of several performance companies and independent performers pioneering new theatre styles and producing quality works through a wide range of genres.

A highlight in March 2018 was the 2nd staging of the “Jamaica Women in Theatre Festival” organized by writer, director and actress Dahlia Harris. The festival ran from March 19 to March 25, showcasing works from talented Jamaican women writers, directors, and actors.​The festival showcased a diverse array of short plays, play extracts, play readings and video installations, but a common theme running throughout was identity and culture. Among the works mounted was an extract from Centerstage’s comedic drama “Right Girl, Wrong Address“, which highlighted actresses Sakina Deer and Sharee Elise.

​Here's how you get the best of both worlds: stay in Ocho Rios close to the beach but take one of our tours that departs from the North Coast and journeys into the heart of cultural Jamaica. On our tour you will eat great local food, have soul stirring conversations with Rastas, visit the internationally renowned Bob Marley Museum, admire the energy and vibrancy of Kingston street art, be taken care of by our knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, and more.

If you have a desire to get into the heart of Kingston, why not come hang out with us? We aim to do a walking tour every Thursday and on the last Sunday of every month. On Thursdays we don't charge, you just pay for your own bus fare, entry fees, and lunch. Why is it free? It's a great training tool for our guides to hone their skills and we do accept tips.

​From your perspective this is an excellent way to see the city up close, it's free, it's safe, it's fun.

It's in our name, the fact that our tours focus on Jamaican culture. We also love when culture is fun. Above is a pic from a recent visit to a Maroon community in Portland. The energy was high, the drumming was hypnotic, and the vibes were positive, a celebration of life over adversity. And then after our guests cooled down in the river. All in all, an excellent day out.

To find out more about our Maroon tours, email us at info@jaculture.com or check our page here.

Between May and November in Jamaica we experience most of the rainfall for the year. This year has been a very active one with respect to tropical storms and hurricanes, and while we've thankfully been spared a direct hit, we've gotten quite a bit of rain. This isn't spoiling our fun however, and usually in Kingston when it rains, it's a short sudden burst, and then it's back to blue skies.

We invite you to come explore the outdoors with us in the sunshine, and in the rain.Email info@jaculture.com | Call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp) / 374 6370

The abeng, an instrument made from animal horn, is part and parcel of Maroon culture. By blowing through it Maroons, runaway slaves who maintained free communities, could communicate with each other, sending messages that were impossible or the untrained ear to decipher. Its sound was said to drive terror into the hearts of the British. Usually the abeng is seen as a symbol of freedom. However, because the Maroons eventually signed peace treaties and would be used by the British to suppress slave and anti-colonial uprisings, their symbolism is complicated. It can be argued therefore that the abeng represents not just resistance and struggle but disunity and co-optation. What would lead to this very challenging set of circumstances? These are questions we get answered when we visit Maroon communities and delve deeper into Jamaican history. History after all is never a simple thing.

In 1997 I was very excited. Wole Soyinka, the great Nigerian playwright was coming to Jamaica and "The Beatification of Area Boy" was to be staged. I got a ticket and I went to Ward Theatre to see the play. It was a grand theatre, and even though I had what I now realise was a terrible seat (far away and high up), I was happy. I felt I was participating in something great in the best possible location. The Ward Theatre unfortunately since then has significantly deteriorated but this year the long talked about plan to refurbish the theatre was revived and actual work begun. This is a good thing for the city of Kingston as this building has been around for many important moments, both theatrical and non theatrical, in our history.

Certainly in terms of local theatre, the Ward has been an important location, and for decades hosted the annual Pantomime productions featuring the likes of Louise Bennett and Randolph Williams. Many travelling productions took place at Ward Theatre and Paul Robeson performed at the theatre in 1948. Our two major political parties were founded at the Ward Theatre. The theatre was also a place where Marcus Garvey spoke and staged productions. And on. What a pity the building has fallen so low but again how wonderful that there seems to be a commitment on the part of the parish council to revive it.

Even in its current condition it's an arresting building and tours which give more detail of the history can be scheduled. This theatre for many reasons, but primarily because it's been silent witness to Kingston's transformation, is on our list of recommended places to visit when you're in the city.

At 1:51, 2:47 in the YouTube video below is footage of the Ward Theatre (look behind the graceful dancers).

For the record let me state up front that I'm vegetarian. I have however eaten a great deal of meat in my life, and a huge part of that has been curry goat. I've had good goat and I've had bad goat, but until I started this tour company it never struck me that visitors found goat "exotic". Most of our guests are interested in experiencing Jamaican culture so they will jump right in. Others have to be coaxed. Others refuse. The ones who refuse are missing out. Well prepared curry goat is delicious, and it is definitely something, if you're a meat eater, to try while on the island.

On our ﻿food ﻿tour curry goat is one of the menu options, and though you do not have to have it, it has not once gotten a bad reception. If you think about it, many people eat lamb and sheep and think nothing of it. Both goats and sheep are small ruminants and stem from the same sub family Caprinae, although they are different species of animals. Although they are differences in behaviour, both animals are similar enough that people often get them mixed up. Goat also is one of the most consumed meats globally.

Our tours are not very beach-y but there are a few choice water locations that we visit. Of course Reach Falls is on the list. In comparison with other sites it's small and low key, which we like. There are a number of ways to access the falls but the safest bet is to go through the park operated by the Jamaican government which offers a guided experience, well tended gardens, and facilities such as toilets and changing rooms. It's a beautiful location, mostly quiet on week days, and we recommend a visit.

To explore taking part in our Portland Day Trip, email us at info@jaculture.com or call 1 876 540 8570 (whatsapp).

It has recently been announced that Starbucks will be entering the Jamaican market in collaboration with Sandals, opening branches in Montego Bay and Kingston. They have also announced that they will be using Jamaican coffee. I am very hopeful that the investment will bring jobs and impact positively on the economy of my island. It is likely though that I will continue to patronise my local coffee shop. It's small and it can get quite crowded (I'm a big fan of personal space and buffer zones) but the coffee is good (they have a variety of hot and cold sophisticated coffee drinks but I always order a regular hot Blue Mountain coffee) and I know for a fact that the coffee is grown in Jamaica. In fact I know exactly where the farm is located. If you've never visited a coffee farm, I highly recommend it.

A coffee farm isn't the most natural environment that you can find but when you're in the mountains and the air is fresh and cool, the birds are darting about, and the coffee aroma is rising from your cup, you're happy. Listen, if you're coming to Jamaica it makes sense that you would check out one of the things Jamaica is most known for. On the tour you find out why the coffee is so good and why is it so expensive. As a bonus you get to purchase high quality coffee at a price much cheaper than you would outside of the island. If you're not a coffee lover, the tour still provides many benefits as you learn about some of our agricultural practices, a little about our economy, and, did I already mention the beauty of the mountains? Breathtaking.

I am hopeful that the Starbucks project will yield positive benefits for Jamaica. Certainly, we at Jamaica Cultural Enterprises will be rooting for solutions and projects that best support our local growers. A visit to a Blue Mountain coffee farm is a great way for you to see first hand what the fuss is about with Jamaican coffee, experience the beauty of the mountains, and learn about the impact of coffee on the lives of Jamaicans.